PART 4
More than forty-eight hours later, Will Graham – still in the same filthy clothes and surrounded by several empty bottles – was just beginning to sober up again.
Despite his best efforts to let this go, he continued to find himself at odds with his better instincts. He'd paid his dues. Jack was dead. Hell, he'd even looked through those damn files because it had been Jack's last request of him. There was no reason he shouldn't just walk away.
Starling.
No one seemed to be able to walk away from her that easily.
Not Jack... not Lecter... and not me, it seems.
What is she to you really, Will? Is she worth dying for? Because you know this one will kill you – one way or another. You do know that, don't you?
"Third time's the charm, Doc."
He stretched his arms out in front of him, lacing his fingers together and cracking his knuckles as he did so. Then he placed his hands carefully on the arms of his chair and, with considerable effort, raised himself to his feet. He stood for a minute to find his balance and finally stumbled off down the hall in search of a shower.
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A showered and freshly dressed Graham sat at the table in his kitchen several hours later with a large mug of strong, black coffee and Clarice Starling's file spread out in front of him.
"Alright, Starling, where do we start?
No family to speak of.
No significant other.
I'll bet Jack was the closest thing you had to a friend in the Bureau, and he won't be of much help now.
Hmmm...
You shared a duplex with your roommate from the Academy. Let's see... Mapp. She's probably worth a conversation. I wonder if she's cleaned out your side of the place yet? I wouldn't mind a look around if she hasn't."
This wasn't something to do over the phone. It had been several months now since Starling disappeared, and her roommate was probably trying to get on with the business of tucking it all away and moving forward. If he had to re-open fresh wounds, he wanted to do it delicately. Besides, he liked to conduct interviews in person whenever possible.
Conduct interviews? That sounds awfully professional for a washed-up drunk, my man.
Should he call Agent Mapp and make sure she'd be willing to talk to him? No, might as well just wait and call when you get there. It would be harder to refuse if he'd already made the trip. He'd just need to make a phone call to arrange for plane tickets.
Don't forget to pack the old flask. You're sure to need it for this one.